WIDB History Chapter 15

University, no; unions, no; WIDB, Yes.

   After two solid years of intense effort, Jerry had seen his proposal reach 80% of its goal. He had won recognition and de facto exclusivity from the university. Funding was secured. A nucleus of enthusiastic, competent staff heads had joined. There was an air of expectation; something was really going to happen. And yet WIDB had never broadcast any programs, never purchased any equipment, and was not located anywhere. It only existed as a university organization account, and as a Board of Directors. But once that happened, it remained only to purchase and install equipment that would operate effectively. The participants felt this phase was more in their control. Again, unanticipated problems developed in areas assumed to be easy.
   First came the location. Jerry had always envisioned WIDB in the University Center (later renamed "Student Center"). At the time, the University Center Director was the legendary "Doc" Dougherty , who ruled that the University Center had no space available for the only university radio station funded by students to serve students. This author thanked him personally, years later. So, no University Center. Jerry and the other nuclear members had long been east campus-centric. Yes, Thompson Point, Evergreen Terrace and Southern Hills were important, and they were in the plans, but almost 70% of dorm residents lived in East Campus. WLTH and WBSR (and WISR) had been East Campus stations. Jerry knew that WIDB must deliver on its promise to be campus-wide. Yet, it was not required to be done all at once.

   While it would have been ideal to locate WIDB in the center of campus, this was not possible, at least at first. Faced with the choice of one side of campus of the other, east was the obvious choice. So, in the fall of 69, Jerry went to see our old friend, Sam Rinella, Emperor of University Housing. Jerry knew that certain rooms in each of the East Campus dorm buildings were earmarked for "Student Activities." Jerry was interested in getting space in Neely, Mae Smith or Schneider but Sam refused. Instead, he offered Jerry room 14 (Student Activity room in basement) of Boomer I or III. At the October, 1969 WIDB Board meeting, Jerry announced that he had accepted Sam's offer. At the same meeting, Dan Mordini announced that after research, he had chosen WIDB's frequency--600kHz. Thus in a few moments, the new station had a frequency and a location--or did it?

   WIDB was to move into room 14 of Boomer III in January, 1970. But the residents of Boomer III got wind of this and protested. They posted threatening notes on the door of the empty dark room that was to be WIDB. Jerry was concerned about equipment that was stored there, so he Jerry removed the audio board, turntables, and speakers to his trailer. Of course, he had to hook it up to see if it worked. Meanwhile, Boomer opposition to WIDB continued. Residents signed a petition to prevent WIDB from moving in. Sam Rinella responded by suggesting WIDB move to Wright. Charlie Muren (Public Relations Director) wanted to confront the Boomer petitioners by letter, in a meeting, and by knocking on the residents' doors. But it was already February, and Jerry wanted to move ahead. Once a space was accepted, walls had to be built before windows, doors, equipment, and wiring could be installed. Dickering about a location could take months. The decision was made to accept room 14 in Wright I. There was a request to occupy room 11 (temporary) as well, which was denied at that time. But the station now had a location!

   Room 14 in Wright I was a medium sized, mostly rectangular room, about 700 square feet. It had three incandescent bulbs with translucent glass globes in the ceiling. It had eight windows, no air conditioning, and a water fountain. There were no rooms, no doors (except the front door) and no walls. Jerry entered room 14, February, 1970. He looked around at the empty space. He saw walls, glass, studios, offices, telephones, equipment, UPI machine, bulletin boards, desks, people, and lots of activity. Could he have envisioned the next successful 17 years WIDB would enjoy there, until it moved in March, 1987? Probably not. Jerry, Howie, Dan, Tom, Charlie and an ever-increasing cast who now included Jim Hoffman (as Music Director) and Woody Mosgers (as just another curious guy who showed up) were more concerned with building a station and starting to air programs--quickly. Within 60 days of first entering room 14, WIDB officially signed on.

   This ranks as another "monumental early achievement."

end of Chapter 15